NUS Skate Challenge is an annual competition organized by NUS Skate Club consisting of several skating activities. This year NUSSC organized Bladercross and Captain’s ball on skates. Bladercross is an obstacle course testing many important skills in skating for example hopping of obstacles, negotiating tight corners and one leg skating. Team SMU came clinched both the first and second placing for Bladercross as well as 4th placing for the girls. Using a combination of teamwork and strategy, Team SMU came in first and third for Captain’s ball on skates. The most impressive part was the participation of 2 year 1 skaters. It is especially admirable that they have reached a level of proficiency to compete against skaters outside of SMU. Another heartening fact was the participation of 3 of our alumni, without whom, the win would not have been possible.

“it was extremely tiring and hot but all the sweat and effort was well worth it” Wang Diliang, Year 1 skater

“it’s a new experience to play an old game like captain’s ball in such an interesting way.” Carter Ho, Year 1 skater

“it always feel good to come back and help the team out” Teo Mingwen, Alumni

‘Row and Row 2011’ was held on 8^th Oct 2011 and it marked the first time SMUX Kayaking and Skating team has collaborated together for an event. The event was based on the theme of ‘Ninja’ and participants were able to enjoy the thrills of urban skating as well as the being able to soak in the sun and sea while kayaking.

Aside from being an introductory-level event for both Kayaking and Skating, the participants also had the chance to play some familiar games but with a totally new twist! For instance, while on skates, participants had to battle each other out in the ‘Ninja’ game (hand slapping game). Also, later on in the day, participants were able to try out how it is like to play Captain’s ball on kayaks. The twist added to these familiar games certainly heightened the experience for our participants, and all of them including the helpers and organizing committee had a great fun during the event.

This inaugural cross team event between kayaking and skating concluded with roaring success and it would certainly be the first of the many other cross team event we see between the two teams in the future. Stay tuned for more!

This summer, SMUX Skating Team & Xseed Team proudly presents to you: Laser Tag on Skates – Tagger Drift! Our very first collaborative effort with SMUX Xseed Team, making it possible to play laser tag while on skates! With the event theme built around the storyline of ‘REC’ the movie, participants strive to complete a mission and survive as they go through a series of obstacles and mystery solving. With their agility and strategic minds, they are able to work together as a team and complete the mission in the fastest time possible. The participants definitely had tons of fun, shooting and chasing after the other teams, crawling through the dark and mysterious tunnel, as well as solving codes and riddles hidden around. They battle teams in a laser tag cross-fire in the finale, and eventually emerging as survivors and winners of the thrilling and hair-raising race.

By 930pm, the Sports and Recreation Centre of NTU was bustling with life. Eager skaters came in droves to register for the event. While waiting earnestly for the flag off, they mingled around in the groups, making friends from other universities in the process. Once ready, the skaters raced off from NTU and headed towards Boon Lay Market, their first rest point.

Over at the market, participants enjoyed a nice supper at the famous Boon Lay nasi lemak stall. Perhaps in a bid to lose the calories they just ingested, everyone skated at an even faster pace as they sped past Chinese Gardens and Jurong East. Thereafter, they hit a long and straight road – West Coast Highway. Under the stars, everyone enjoyed a long coasting effortlessly for long stretches while enjoying the cool night breeze.

Not long after, we reached Fong Seng – a favourite eatery outlet amongst NUS students. Visiting such places was also in line with the event theme of “Getting to know U”. Energised by the food and rest, skaters were not longer shackled by fatigue and proceded to sprint up the steep and long incline at NUS.

No doubt it was tiring. But it did not come without benefits. Upon reaching the top, the skaters skillfully skated downhill, culminating in an adrenaline charged moment for all.

With that, we concluded our tour of NUS and proceded on towards SMU via Commonwealth and then Alexandra Road. Not long after, it was familiar territory for most as we entered Orchard Road. It was certainly a rare sight for most as the whole district was quiet and empty. Everyone skated all the way down and reached SMU very soon.

The fatigue was evident on everyone’s faces. However, all skaters also wore a wide smile as they truly enjoyed a fast paced night tour of the three universities on wheels.

8 Destinations.

5 Teams.

1 Race.

That was all that matters during the 2 days 1 night SMUX first ever skating amazing race. If you happened to walk along the streets of Little India, the city area around our iconic Singapore Flyer, or travel along the shade-less uninviting Nicoll Highway in the direction of East Coast Park on the first day, you might have been able to spot tiny colourful figures snaking their ways through relentlessly to the next checkpoint or station. Even when the skies threatened with overcastted clouds, that did not dampen any of the skaters’ spirits and all teams pressed on to complete to their very last destination of the day – Millennium Court. The heat continued the very next day, beginning with 3 not-so-lighthearted games from the heartland area of Ang Mo Kio. Games are as crucial as speed in this race when it comes to earning points, and everyone played so intensely with one another with no mercy. The last leg of the whole event involved a long and grueling skate-through from AMK to Sembawang via Upper Thomson. It was no doubt challenging, but teams were unfazed and we could literally see fire burning in so many of their eyes. It was time to give it their all. In an amazingly short period of less than 2 hours, all teams managed to arrive at their ultimate destination, Sembawang Court, for the final showdown – a game of Captain’s Ball on skates. It was indeed a game of make or break to determine the final winner. Nonetheless, competitive as the participants, be it to vie for a set of Hvper wheels, cones or vouchers, we believe this whole event was played purely all in the name of fun (:

The annual Skate Clinic is back! A new year in 2010 heralds an even greater drive for the skating team to bring Skate Clinic to a higher level to spread the love of the sport. We have once again attracted an overwhelming response from the SMU student body. The SMUX Skating Team and 40 participants brought their interest for skating out of SMU to East Coast Park on 8^th Jan to enjoy skating in a natural terrain. In order to ensure that participants gain the most out of this event, participants were grouped according to their skating skill levels. With the help of SMUX senior and junior skaters, who were tasked with the role of Group Leaders, participants were taught various skating techniques. Even beginner skaters managed to learn the sport fast. Despite an occasional drizzle and a slight shower near the end of the event, the participants and the SMUX Skaters did not allow the rain to dampen their spirits and went on to skate around East Coast Park and also to Bedok jetty. SMUX Skating Team can indeed look forward to more new skaters in the coming weeks since many participants have expressed interest in joining future skating events after having enjoyed Skate Clinic 2010!

We were attached to a school (Taman Belajar Gembala Baik) through our beneficiary, Yayasan Citramas. The two main objectives of Skating Beyond Borders are to educate the children and improve their study environment. The children, aged 4-6 years, are taught English, Mathematics and Art & Craft. The volunteers also painted the school and cleaned up its surroundings.

Here are some pictures of our volunteers teaching and interacting with the children:

Skating Beyond Borders has achieved its objectives successfully and this is in no part thanks to the help from Yayasan Citramas, the support and guidance from OCS and all the hard work put into this event from the organizing committee and volunteers.